FRANKLIN, Wis. — A five-year human trafficking investigation has led to the arrest of four men connected to On the Border Gentlemen’s Club in Franklin. The arrests followed a tip from a former employee who alerted authorities that club staff were profiting from commercial sex acts inside the establishment.
Investigation Unfolds
According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, the investigation began in 2020 when a former club worker told investigators that sex acts were occurring at the club, and management was allegedly benefiting financially from them.
An FBI task force carried out the lengthy investigation, which culminated in the arrests of Jimmy “Fly” Durant, Brian Hopkins, Dantavia Rule, and Maurice Russell. All four appeared in court on Friday, facing human trafficking-related charges.
“This is concerning that this was going on,” said Judge Michelle Ackerman Havas during the hearing.
Roles and Allegations
According to the 22-page criminal complaint, Durant is accused of trafficking multiple women. Rule and Russell allegedly served as recruiters, while Hopkins worked as a manager at the club.
Victims told investigators that sex acts occurred inside the club’s VIP lounge, with bouncers dimming the lights during these encounters. Women were reportedly coerced into performing sex acts at the club and at other locations across state lines, forced to surrender all of their earnings.
One victim said Durant kept her money and later told her,
“You pay to go to college, but if you don’t finish, you don’t get your money back.”
Another victim described being punched repeatedly by Rule, who allegedly began strangling her after realizing she bruised easily. Judge Havas noted that the allegations and “the concept of human trafficking itself certainly raise levels of offense.”
Club’s Response
Despite the arrests, On the Border Gentlemen’s Club remains open. In a public statement released Sunday, the club’s ownership denied involvement and pledged to cooperate fully with law enforcement.
“We fully support the ongoing investigation by law enforcement and condemn in the strongest possible terms any illegal activity associated with our business,” the statement read.
The club also emphasized its long-standing presence in the Franklin community, stating it has operated locally for nearly four decades.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the alleged trafficking operation, which they say extended beyond Wisconsin. The FBI and local law enforcement are seeking additional witnesses and potential victims.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Milwaukee FBI Office or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Stay with HonkNews.com for ongoing updates on this developing investigation.